Posted on 05/11/2025 5:58:56 PM PDT by Red Badger
So many words, so much grunting and groaning for so little reason. The whole genre of science fiction rests on what we have always called
“the willful suspension of disbelief.”
Excellent point.
I'm writing a sci-fi / political thriller and TRUST ME plot holes are very hard to plug. I'm certainly not leaving BIG GAPING ONES like THAT out there, however.
P.S. I'm 40% finished.
Um, it’s science FICTION. LOL
That said Star Trek communicators and phasers were science fiction. Now look at your smart phone and phase arrayed radars.
What I find more interesting is a discussion of the political side and analogies to the Middle East.
The entire story was an allegory of the world at that time.
Spice = Petroleum
I read “Dune” more than half a century ago. I thought it was dull and plodding so I never bothered with any of the sequels or the movies. Nothing I’ve heard about Herbert’s “masterpiece” since then has changed my mind.
Yup
Thing is who are the Fremen? Muslim fighters? Or are the Harkonens (sp?) the Muslim radicals? Is the Emperor or House Atreides the US? Etc.
Yeah, Frank Herbert wasn't exactly subtle about that, with all the Muslim-sounding names and all. LOL
House Atreides. Definitely the US.
The Emperor reminded me more of Russia / USSR.
I tend to agree. Have seen opposing views. It’s a fun discussion.
My opinion:
The Fremen are the Arabs states and tribal powers.
Harkonnens are the Soviets.
BRAVE AI:
DUNE Allegorical Groups
In Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” the political and economic structure of the Dune universe can be seen as an allegory for the contemporary world trade structure. The primary allegorical groups are:
Landsraad: Represents a political body that checks the power of the Emperor, similar to how democratic institutions and international organizations like the United Nations balance the power of individual nations.
Spacing Guild: Symbolizes the control over transportation and trade, much like how shipping and logistics companies control global trade routes today.
Padishah Emperor: Stands for centralized authority and control over resources, akin to how some powerful nations or corporations control critical resources and influence global politics.
Bene Gesserit: Represents a secretive and influential group that manipulates events from behind the scenes, similar to how intelligence agencies or influential lobbyists operate in the real world.
Corrino Empire: Symbolizes the overarching imperial power that maintains order through a combination of military might and economic control, reflecting the influence of powerful nations or alliances in contemporary geopolitics.
Harkonnens: Represent the antagonistic forces that seek to exploit and control resources for their own gain, mirroring the actions of some multinational corporations or corrupt governments.
These allegorical representations highlight the complex interplay of power, politics, and economics in both the Dune universe and the modern world trade structure.
Incidentally just saw the original Dune last night. While it has its flaws - a lot of them - still prefer it over the remake.
Nice done.
Thanks! I’ll look it up. I love book recommendations.
When I was in High School, I’d go to our Public Library. I’ve always loved Fiction, so I started with one section of shelving, would pick a book at random and read it.
I found a lot of great Authors that way.
Margaret (A)twood
Richard (B)ach (’Jonathan Livingston Seagull’ - remember that one?)
Julian (B)arnes
Michael (C)habon
etc.
I have only this to say: STING.
😂🤣😂🤣
‘There Will Come Soft Rains’
Yes! From, ‘The Martian Chronicles.”
I’ll check out ‘Ringworld.’
I get it. It wasn’t my all-time favorite read, and I have never watched any of the movies, though I know there’s a copy of the first one on DVD somewhere in the house. ;)
I haven’t seen the latest versions, but the one the SyFy channel did a few years back was absolutely horrible.........
You've said nothing that I didn't already know, and nothing to refute my previous claim - in opposition to your assertion - that the planet is suffering from a shortage of water.
The term "shortage" is subjective. If I want to buy a new, 75-ft yacht but can't afford it because I have only $1 million, then I am suffering a shortage. But if I have only twenty bucks to my name, but want to buy a pack of smokes, and don't care about where my next meal is coming from or where I'll sleep tonight, then I am suffering no shortage of money.
The native inhabitants of Arrakis want to eventually transform their desert world into a lush paradise (though with an arid reservation so that some sand worms could continue to thrive). They dream of the day when "water again falls from the skies." They are thus suffering a water shortage.
Regardless of how much water they have stored away in their underground bunkers - and a billion gallons is, as I have already pointed out, darn little for an entire planet - but it is not enough for them to accomplish their goals. Hence: Shortage!
Regards,
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